In the midst of state revenue deficits and education budget cuts, the Inglewood Unified

School District Board of Education has announced that after an in-depth fiscal analysis, it will not

be sending notices of potential layoff to its current teaching staff.
 According to IUSD Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joice Lewis, district staff worked

diligently over the past several months reviewing the numbers and devising comprehensive

departmental plans to keep its spending prudent.  “IUSD takes great pride in its teaching staff and

strives to provide the best education possible for children; therefore, we are not sending letters

to teachers.”
 The district plans to make cuts as far away from the classroom as possible. Currently,

departments are charged with the difficult task of identifying potential areas of program and

personnel reductions. 
  “We need all of our existing teachers to maintain the integrity of our academic program,” said

Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services Dr. Kenneth Crowe.  “This includes keeping our

commitment to the parents of this community to provide a quality education for all of our students.” 
 Typically, more notices are issued than will ultimately result in layoffs, but districts are

obligated to notify by March 15 all certificated and management individuals who will potentially

face a layoff. “Unfortunately, there is no way for many California school districts to avoid layoff

notices given the magnitude of the budget crisis and the uncertainty regarding their final budgets,”

maintains IUSD’s Chief Business Official Robert Guillen.  However, the challenge will remain in the

ability to prepare the next generation of students for success while being good stewards within the

allotted funding resources.
 Dr. Edgar Gill, Interim Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources feels the decision by

the Trustees will help to stabilize the range in emotions that are occurring during this financial

downturn, especially within the teaching ranks.
“I am proud to be among a board that continues to close the achievement gap while maintaining a

focus to seek the best for students, teachers and parents,” states Carol Raines-Brown, president of

IUSD. She also reiterates the need to maintain “our good teachers” and seek future salary increases.
 While it is important to understand that no decisions have been made, the board of education

will continue to hold discussions at its regularly scheduled meetings and invite all staff, parents

and community members to attend.